Sarah Mayfield, LPC, NCC, CT
Compassionate Bereavement Care Certified Provider
About Sarah
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Sarah is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Compassionate Bereavement Care Certified Provider, is Certified in Thanatology, and has been a Nationally Certified Counselor since 2006. She earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Counselor Education from The University of Virginia.
Prior to private practice, Sarah served Central Virginia for four years as Grief Counselor and Family Bereavement Services Manager at Full Circle Grief Center.
Prior to specializing in grief, Sarah worked for eight years as a School Counselor at Beaverdam Elementary School, in Hanover County Public Schools, and one year as a Character Education Teacher at The Steward School, in Henrico County.
Sarah has presented nationally on grief topics to organizations such as Institute of Child Psychology, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and Virginia School Counselor Association.
In addition to her career, Sarah has found fulfillment in volunteering: serving as Co-Chair for The Bereavement Coalition of Central Virginia, as Volunteer Provider with Virginia Telemental Health Initiative, and as Support Group Facilitator for Richmond’s Chapter of The MISS Foundation.
Sarah is the published author of This Sure Thing, a children’s picture book honoring her bereaved son after the death of his brother. This Sure Thing aims to normalize childhood grief and promote continuing bonds. For more information on ways to “live that love” for those gone too soon, visit livethatlove.com.
Sarah finds joy in blogging about grief, upcycling forsaken furniture, getting lost in the plants (and weeds) of her yard, dancing unapologetically in the kitchen with her family, and remembering the motto, “Love never fails.”
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Grief counseling can be difficult and painful, but it can also be meaningful and connecting. Grief has many dualities.
Sarah’s role as your counselor is not to try to "fix" your grief. Instead, her role is to walk with you, companion you, on your journey. She may encourage you to dig deeper, she may offer psychoeducation, she may challenge grief norms. She may ask questions about you, your loved one, your relationship. Throughout it all, know that Sarah will strive to honor your grief journey with compassion and care.
Sarah believes that grief counseling should be person-centered. She does not claim any one specific therapeutic approach, but finds herself pulling from different ones depending on the client’s needs/preferences. The client and Sarah will work together in session to tackle the hard stuff, breathe in the lighter moments, and sometimes laugh (yes, laugh). Sarah finds nature and the outdoors to be grounding and healing for grievers. She has chosen an office location that offers both indoor and outdoor options for client services.
Sarah also believes that a huge part of her work as a grief counselor is to normalize and validate the client’s grief experience. She frequently finds herself pushing back on societal discomfort with pain and grief. Pushing back on societal misinformation on the grieving process. These societal norms are often so powerful, hurtful, and harmful to grievers.